Month: March 2020

President Donald Trump said on Monday he will not allow the coronavirus to do long-lasting damage to the U.S. economy and that he is considering how to move forward after a 15-day shutdown ends next week. 

After tweeting “WE CANNOT LET THE CURE BE WORSE THAN THE PROBLEM ITSELF,” Trump said at a news conference at the White House: “America will again and soon be open for business. We are not going to let it turn into a long-lasting financial problem.”

Health experts have made clear that unless Americans continue to dramatically limit social interaction, such as staying home from work and isolating themselves, the number of infections will overwhelm the health care system. But with millions out of work, backlash is growing. 

Larry Kudlow, Trump’s top economic adviser, said in an interview Monday: “We can’t shut in the economy. The economic cost to individuals is just too great. The president is right. The cure can’t be worse than the disease and we’re going to have to make some difficult trade-offs.”

Trump signals eagerness to reboot economy soon

Via www.cbsnews.com

President Trump said the White House will soon be reevaluating guidelines his administration has…

03/23/2020 7:19 PM

 

Editorial credit: Nicole Glass Photography / Shutterstock.com

Speculation about treating the new coronavirus with malaria drugs is raising hopes, and now a shortage of these drugs is complicating access for people who need them for rheumatoid arthritis or lupus.

Chloroquine and a similar drug, hydroxychloroquine have shown encouraging signs in small, early tests against the coronavirus. President Trump tweeted that hydroxychloroquine plus an antibiotic could be “one of the biggest game changers in the history of medicine” and should “be put in use immediately.”  However, scientists warn about raising false hopes and say major studies are needed to prove the drugs are safe and effective against coronavirus. In addition, the drugs can cause heart rhythm problems, severely low blood pressure and muscle or nerve damage.

Chloroquine has been used to treat malaria since the 1930s. Hydroxychloroquine came along a decade later and has fewer side effects. The latter is sold in generic form and under the brand name Plaquenil for use against several diseases. Plaquenil’s label warns of possible damage to the retina, especially when used at higher doses, for longer times and with certain other medicines such as the breast cancer drug tamoxifen.

Meanwhile, supply for the drug is already low for those patients who need it for other medical conditions. Four of the seven companies that make generic hydroxychloroquine have reported shortages

‘Lifesaving’ lupus drug in short supply after Trump touts possible coronavirus treatment

Via www.nbcnews.com

The publicity surrounding hydroxychloroquine has fueled shortages across the country, NBC News…

03/23/2020 5:01 PM

 

The National Guard will be deployed to assist in the fight against the coronavirus in the hard-hit states of New York, California and Washington, President Donald Trump announced.

Announced at Sunday evening’s briefing of the White House Coronavirus Task Force, the move will include delivery of medical supplies and the establishment of medical stations in those states.

“The federal government will be funding 100% of the cost to deploy National Guard units to carry out approved missions to stop the virus while those governors remain in command,” Trump said. “I spoke with all three of the governors today, just a little while ago, they’re very happy with what we’re doing.” Trump added; “I directed FEMA to supply the following: Four large medical stations with 1,000 beds for New York, eight large federal medical stations with 2,000 beds for California. and three large federal medical stations and four small federal medical stations with 1,000 beds for the state of Washington.”

Trump pledges National Guard missions in California, New York

Via www.msn.com

President Trump is pledging to fund National Guard missions in New York, Washington and…

03/22/2020 7:22 PM

 

Editorial credit: solepsizm / Shutterstock.com

Senator Rand Paul on Sunday became the first senator known to have tested positive for COVID-19. 

Paul’s account tweeted, “Senator Rand Paul has tested positive for COVID-19. He is feeling fine and is in quarantine. He is asymptomatic and was tested out of an abundance of caution due to his extensive travel and events. He was not aware of any direct contact with any infected person. He expects to be back in the Senate after his quarantine period ends and will continue to work for the people of Kentucky at this difficult time,” the thread continued. “Ten days ago, our D.C. office began operating remotely, hence virtually no staff has had contact with Senator Rand Paul.”

Paul’s chief of staff later clarified that he “decided to get tested after attending an event where two individuals subsequently tested positive for COVID-19, even though he wasn’t aware of any direct contact with either one of them.”

Paul is the third member of Congress to announce a positive test for the coronavirus, following Reps. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., and Ben McAdams, D-Utah.  Due to recent interactions with Paul, Utah senators Mitt Romney and Mike Lee both announced Sunday that they will self-quarantine for 14 days. In total, five Republican senators are now under quarantine.

Rand Paul’s coronavirus diagnosis sends shockwaves through Senate

Via thehill.com

broke the news: One of their own, Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), had tested positive for the coronavirus.

03/22/2020 9:01 PM

 

Editorial credit: Rich Koele / Shutterstock.com

On Thursday, California Governor Gavin Newson issued a statewide “stay at home” order to residents, telling them to leave their homes only when necessary during the coronavirus pandemic. The restriction is the first to encompass all 40 million California residents in the state.

“Californians must do what is necessary to meet this moment and help bend the curve,” Newsom said during a late afternoon briefing. “It’s time for all of us to recognize as individuals and as a community we need to do more,” Newsom added.

The statewide order came just hours after Newsom said he expects the virus will infect more than half of California residents over the next eight weeks. He has asked Congress for $1 billion in federal funds to support the state’s medical response. In a separate letter to U.S. Senate and House leaders, Newsom said the financial aid is critical to the state’s ability to procure ventilators and other medical supplies, activate state-run hospitals, deploy mobile hospitals and meet other healthcare needs.

California issues statewide stay-at-home order

Via www.nbcnews.com

The U.S. State Department on Thursday warned Americans to no longer travel abroad, and urged…

03/19/2020 9:48 PM

 

Editorial credit: Karl_Sonnenberg / Shutterstock.com

Italy has now surpassed China as the country with the largest number of deaths related to the coronavirus. The Italian Civil Protection Agency announced 3,405 total deaths on Thursday. China has reported 3,242 deaths.

Italian officials report more than 41,000 cases on Thursday, a jump of more than 5,000 new cases. However, China’s case count is roughly double Italy’s, though China has a larger population and a lower median age than Italy.  Italy has been on a lockdown since March 12, with people only allowed to leave their homes for essential activities, like going to the grocery store or pharmacy.

The World Health Organization last week said the epicenter of the pandemic has shifted from China to Europe.

Italian death toll overtakes China’s as virus spreads

Via delawarestatenews.net

The virus appeared to be opening an alarming new front in Africa and also reached at least one…

03/19/2020 5:08 PM

 

Editorial credit: praszkiewicz / Shutterstock.com